His lips parted, his features pinching. He seemed confused. I struggled not to roll my eyes. Whatever Nadia had said to him must have been enough to make him question everything. I’d have to work hard to get things back to normal after this incident.
“Yeah, of course. Umm, look, Nattie…” He shook his head, his hands falling on his hips. “If I overstepped, I’m really sorry. I just…I felt like we had this connection, and I know it’swaytoo early for me to be saying this kind of stuff–“
“I feel it too,” I answered, my heart beating faster. I could never be this free in Belvaria, so I planned to take advantage of this.
“Really?” His lips parted, his forehead creasing.
I bobbed my head, slipping my hand into his. “Yes. And, uh, I know…things were probably…weird there when you found me at the motel, but I was just a little…surprised that you had come to find me.” I tried my best to cover whatever had happened with my sister.
“Of course.” His features softened as he tightened his fingers around mine. “I told you, Nattie, I feel this strong connection between us, and I want to explore that. And even if nothing comes of it, I want you safe.”
I stared into his icy blue eyes, unable to decide if I wanted to smile or cry. He wore his heart on his sleeve, and I was lying right to his face. He’d hate me for this once he found out.
Maybe I could salvage it, to temper it somehow. But I couldn’t risk telling him anything right now–not until after Nadia made sure it was safe.
“That means so much to me,” I said.
He cupped my face in his hand, his thumb rubbing my cheek. “Hey, umm, I feel like maybe what I said earlier may have scared you a little?”
I cocked my head, my stomach twisting into a tight knot. Had he said something to Nadia?
“You know the thing about how I was glad none of my past relationships worked out because it meant I met you. I’m sorry if that was too cheesy.”
I pressed a hand against my chest, my features melting into a smile. “No, not at all. No, I thought it was…very cute.”
As his gentle touch caressed my skin, I felt a pang of guilt so sharp it nearly brought tears to my eyes. He didn’t know who I really was—what I was—and I was stealing these moments with him like a thief in the night. How long could this last before it all came crashing down?
“Cute, right,” he said, a nervous smile breaking through his worry. “I’ll take it.”
“It was so sweet. I wasn’t scared. I just…things are very complicated with me. And I’m concerned you may be the one afraid.”
“Oh, no,” he said, his eyes widening as he shook his head. “No, Nattie. I get it, okay? I do. I’m fully prepared for all the complicated stuff that comes along with you. I’ll be here for you and with you.”
I wanted to believe him, wanted to melt into his arms and feel all of the safety and security he promised. But I couldn’t risk it yet. There were too many questions I couldn’t answer, too many things I had to lie about.
I wondered if I’d ever be able to tell the truth. If not, our relationship would be short-lived.
As much as he said he was prepared for everything, he had no idea what he was facing. He thought it was an abusive ex. He couldn’t have been more wrong.
“Hey,” he said, tipping my chin up with a slight smile, “I mean it. I’ve never met anyone like you.”
My voice turned a little breathy as I stared into those beautiful eyes of his, that strong connection pulsing through me and making me warm all over. “I’ve never met anyone like you either.”
He chuckled, a little color rising in his cheeks. “I’m sort of glad you think that’s a good thing because…I’m pretty sure you’re going to be really disappointed because I’ve got some crazy stuff in my past.”
I nearly laughed out loud. Crazy stuff in his past? He couldn’t top my past and my present.
He puffed out a breath. “Nattie, I have some weird stuff in my past. And my half-sister, if you meet her, she’s going to tell you all about it. She’s going to paint me in this horrible light–”
I pressed my fingers against his lips. “No. It won’t change anything for me.”
He winced, grabbing my hand in his. “That’s so sweet, Nattie, but…maybe you should reserve that promise until you’ve heard more about me.”
“Tell me,” I said, wanting as much information as I could get about him. I needed his help more than I needed him beside me, but I wanted both.
His features pinched, worry creasing them. “Umm, I’d really rather save this for another time. I’m just…not really a squeaky-clean guy.”
He probably thought the words would turn me off, but the truth was my roots weren’t exactly innocent either.
